Susie Wolff broadsides FIA over 'robbery' and 'lack of sporting integrity'

Hamilton, Mercedes — Photo: © LAT Images

Abu Dhabi

8 reacties

Susie Wolff broadsides FIA over 'robbery' and 'lack of sporting integrity'

Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth F1 world title in Abu Dhabi

Sam Hall

Thursday 16 December 2021 10:34 Updated: 19:54

Susie Wolff has launched a scathing attack on the FIA after the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, declaring her hope for a governing body with "sporting integrity and fairness at its core" by the start of the 2022 F1 season.

The wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has responded with scorn to FIA promises of a "detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties" that is to take place following the controversial conclusion of Sunday's race.

Whilst praising the handling of the situation from Lewis Hamilton, who missed out on a record-breaking eighth crown after a late and questionable safety car restart, Wolff made little effort to hide her feelings.

Article continues under video

It is the first murmurings linked to Mercedes since the team announced its intent to appeal the outcome of its two failed protests, with the team maintaining radio silence across the post-season test.

"Lewis Hamilton, you have shown incredible integrity and dignity in the face of injustice," wrote Wolff, who is also team principal of Venturi Formula E team, on social media.

"You are the greatest there has ever been. The outcome of the last laps on Sunday? Those who know, they know, even those who can’t quite bring themselves to admit it.

"Congratulations Max [Verstappen] and congratulations to each and every member of Mercedes on your record-breaking eighth constructors' title.

"I hope by March of next year there is a governing body with sporting integrity and fairness at its core so I can fall back in love with F1."

Reflecting on the specific events of the Abu Dhabi GP, Wolff has conceded she is still struggling to understand what unfolded.

She added: "Going in to the race weekend in Abu Dhabi, I believed both teams and both drivers deserved to win. It was going to be a spectacle, a historic race that we all hoped would end without controversy. That wasn’t to be.

"What happened is still hard to comprehend and leaves me with a sick feeling. Not the losing - and not Max or RedBull - they are deserving winners and we always knew it was a strong possibility we may not win - but the way in which Lewis was robbed has left me in utter disbelief.

"The decision of one person within the governing body who applied a rule in a way which has never been done before in F1 single-handedly decided the drivers' world championship.

"Rules are rules, they can’t be changed on a whim by one individual at the end of a race."